CHAPTER 371
S.P. 495 - L.D. 1526
An Act to Redefine the Community Services of the Mental Health System
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 34-B MRSA §3607, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 691, §7, is amended to read:
The department shall establish 9 quality improvement councils to oversee the delivery of mental health services to children and adults under the authority of the department or who have a major mental illness.
Sec. 2. 34-B MRSA §3607, sub-§1, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 691, §7, is amended to read:
B. "Consumer" means a recipient or former recipient of publicly funded mental health services or an adult who has or had a major mental illness.
Sec. 3. 34-B MRSA §3607, sub-§1, ¶D-1 is enacted to read:
D-1. "Major mental illness" means a diagnosis of mental illness as defined by the department. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.
Sec. 4. 34-B MRSA §3607, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 691, §7, is amended to read:
5. Duties. By October 1, 1996, each council shall submit to the department a plan for the development, coordination and implementation of a local mental health system for the delivery of services to children and adults under the authority of the department and to their families. This plan must be updated every 2 years. By October 1, 1998, the updated plan of each council must include provisions for the development, coordination and implementation of a local mental health system for the delivery of services to children and adults who have a major mental illness. The department shall determine required elements of the plan, including but not limited to the following:
A. Case management, including advocacy activities and techniques for identifying and providing services to consumers at risk. Case management services must be independent of providers whenever possible;
B. Medication management, outpatient therapy, substance abuse treatment and other outpatient services;
C. In-home flexible supports, home-based crisis assistance, mobile outreach, respite and inpatient capacity and other crisis prevention and resolution services;
D. Housing, in-home support services, tenant training and support services, home ownership options and supported housing; and
E. Rehabilitation and vocational services, including transitional employment, supported education and job finding and coaching.
Sec. 5. PL 1995, c. 691, §11 is amended to read:
Sec. 11. Report. The Commissioner of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by January 1, 1997 and by January 1, 1998 on the operation of quality improvement councils as established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 34-B, section 3607 and local service networks as established in Title 34-B, section 3608 and shall include recommendations for improving the operations and any legislation necessary to accomplish those purposes. The 1998 report must include any recommendations or legislation necessary to accomplish plans for delivery of services to children and adults who have a major mental illness required by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 34-B, section 3607, subsection 5. In preparing these recommendations or legislation, the commissioner shall examine the laws of other states that provide local mental health services to children and adults who have a major mental illness.
Effective September 19, 1997, unless otherwise indicated.
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